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The NBA today announced Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso as the NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner for the month of January in recognition of his effort to address food insecurity, provide essential items for those in need and create memorable experiences for youth in his community. Each month of the regular season, the award recognizes a player who best demonstrates the passion that the league and NBA players share for giving back to their communities.&nbsp;

Caruso focuses much of his community engagement around helping others gain access to basic life essentials, including providing high-quality fresh food for families in Chicago, providing those in need with clothing and hosting memorable experiences for youth. During the month of January, Caruso helped deliver meals to families and personally donated $10,000 to&nbsp;Dion's Chicago Dream&nbsp;– a local non-profit dedicated to creating financial, physical and emotional stability for residents of Chicago by helping fight food insecurity in the city. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) also matched Caruso’s donation, yielding a $20,000 contribution in total to the non-profit. As a result of the donation, 20 households are now completely food secure for all of 2023.&nbsp;

Also in January, Caruso hosted local Chicago youth and families from&nbsp;Mikva Challenge’s&nbsp;Neighborhood Leadership Initiative (NLI) during the Bulls’ home game against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 23. Youth from NLI and their families enjoyed the game in a complimentary suite where they received Bulls apparel. As part of his support to NLI, Caruso donated coats and clothes to 500 migrants, youth and families in need across three neighborhoods that the program services. Additionally, Caruso who is an avid golf fan and plays regularly, hosted a golf party for high school golf teams from four Chicago public high schools. The teams joined Caruso at Five Iron Golf for a private indoor golf event where they had dinner and competed with and against him in various contests. He also gifted the teams with custom Bulls golf merchandise and signed memorabilia for students.&nbsp;

In addition to his contributions locally, Caruso also participated in a Her Time to Play youth hoops clinic while in Paris for the NBA Paris Game 2023. Alongside some of his Bulls’ teammates, Caruso taught basketball skills and participated in drills with 40 youth from Paris Basket 18 – a club created to provide girls the opportunity to practice and play basketball focused on empowering girls in sports.&nbsp;

“It’s special to win the Community Assist award because I’ve always been a person that said if I ever had a chance to give back, I was going to do it,” said Caruso. “We have a lot of privilege and a lot of responsibility to hold ourselves to a high standard and help people that are in need. That’s just the way I was raised, and I think that’s something really cool that I’m able to do now."&nbsp;

Caruso will be recognized during an on-court ceremony before the Bulls’ home contest against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Mar. 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Chicago Bulls Vice President of Community Engagement and Executive Director of Chicago Bulls Charities Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry will present him with the award. The NBA will donate $10,000 to Dion’s Chicago Dream.&nbsp;

The NBA Cares Community Assist Award honors the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece. To learn more, please visit&nbsp;https://communityassist.nba.com/&nbsp;

NBA Cares is the league's global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA's mission of addressing important social issues. NBA Cares programs and participants have provided more than 6.2 million hours of hands-on service and created more than 2,040 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in communities around the world. Internationally, NBA Cares has created more than 375 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in 40 countries and territories. NBA Cares works with nationally and internationally recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes, including: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Vera Institute of Justice, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNICEF, Special Olympics, The Jed Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLSEN.&nbsp;

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Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso Receives January NBA Cares Community Assist Award

Eb & Flow was created to transform the community through the power of yoga by creating a space for deeper meaning, better health, and a way to sustain inner peace despite how busy and stressful life can be.

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Black Owned Business Spotlight: Eb & Flow

Earlier this month, the Bulls honored the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the team’s MLK Game vs. the Golden State Warriors.

During its inaugural MLK Game presented by Advocate Health Care, the Bulls introduced and celebrated its third class of MLK Legacy Honorees for the 2022-23 season. Inspired by the team’s ongoing commitment to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and supporting civic leaders working toward a more equitable and just Chicago, the program launched during the 2019-20 season.

Nominees for the Bulls’ MLK Legacy Honoree program must be Chicago residents who demonstrate a passion for achieving equity across the fields of education and health and wellness or a commitment to community investment and social justice. This year, the Bulls’ Legacy Honorees were local civic leaders who are working toward decreasing food disparities that disproportionately affect communities of color and providing mental health and educational supports and opportunities in underserved communities.

The Bulls’ 2023 MLK Legacy Honorees include –

Dion Dawson – Founder of Dion's Chicago Dream, an organization that works to create financial, physical and emotional stability in underserved communities by combating food insecurity and food deserts across the city, Dion uses nutritional philanthropy as a catalyst to build community and transform lives. As an initiative born in the heart of Englewood where Dion grew up, the organization has expanded to assist residents in need in every Chicago neighborhood through the power of fresh, healthy food. Dion was selected as a MLK Legacy Honoree due to his commitment to health and wellness, social justices and his investment in communities across the city.

Andrew Smith & Tristan Lewis – Co-founders of The Healing, an organization that creates space for Black and Brown men in Chicago to work through trauma from 2020 and explore how it can negatively impact their personal growth and development, Andrew and Tristan focus on changing the narrative around male vulnerability for men of color and normalizing emotional healing to elevate themselves and their brothers.

Amanda Garcia & Lisett Avalos – Both students at Infinity Math, Science & Technology High School in Little Village, Amanda and Lisett started a weekly afterschool peer tutoring program at their school. Throughout the year, including some weekends, the girls tutor freshmen students. Prior to them starting the program, Infinity offered a tutoring program one day a week led by one tutor to assist a group of over 20 students. Noticing the need for more frequent, personalized tutoring, Amanda and Lisett began recruiting upperclassmen to tutor after school. Now, Infinity has more than 15 peer tutors. In addition to starting the program, both girls are in their senior year of high school and taking college courses through a pre-college program offered at Infinity. Amanda and Lisett were selected as MLK Legacy Honorees for their contributions to their peers’ educational prosperity.

Britney Robbins – The founder of The Gray Matter Experience, Britney aims to educate, empower and assist students in creating their own businesses while providing them access to resources and support to ensure they know their contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem are both valid and vital. Through Gray Matter, Britney provides entrepreneurial programming to high school students across the county. Programming consists of a series of engaging workshops comprised of team building activities, discussions, guest speakers and engaging field trips where the students learn fundamental business concepts to help launch their idea.

Bulls’ partner Advocate Health Care generously donated to each honoree in-game to support and propel their initiatives. During the game, the Bulls also had a moment of silence in remembrance of Jon Veal – co-founder of Alt_Space Chicago and an 2021-22 MLK Legacy Honorees who tragically passed away in December.

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Bulls Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Chicago Bulls and United Airlines announced today the launch of a new community program with Infinity Math, Science & Technology High School in Little Village – a predominantly Latinx neighborhood in Chicago. The program, which will conclude in May, is focused primarily on providing Latinx youth with opportunities to explore professional pathways across the STEM industries. It will also support the school’s efforts to strengthen its art curriculum and include programming for students through a collaboration with Bulls Creative Strategy & Design Advisor Don C. to design a deck of cards for the Bulls’ “Los Bulls Game” giveaway on March 15 vs. the Sacramento Kings at the United Center.

Through this program, students will complete a series of workshops focused on a specific pillar of STEM at various locations throughout the city. The first workshop will take place at the Museum of Science and Industry’s “Take Flight” exhibit, where students will climb aboard an actual United Airlines Boeing 727 and learn about the technology that shapes commercial aviation. From seeing first-hand how a 727’s mechanical, electronic and hydraulic systems work to talking with a United Airlines pilot and experiencing the exhibit’s flight simulator, the newly reimagined exhibit will allow students to get a peek behind the curtain on how the airline connects people around the world. The students will then explore the “Wired to Wear” exhibit focused on wearable technology, including prosthetics. After which, they will complete a hands-on workshop to build their own prosthetics. &nbsp;

"As a daughter of Colombian immigrants, earning my wings had been nothing more than a dream when I was a child because I had never seen a pilot who looked like me. Today, as a proud Latina pilot for United Airlines, I am ecstatic about this new community program because I know first-hand how it will not only expose Latinx youth in Chicago to leaders and employees in the aviation industry but also ensure all those who dream of flying have the opportunity and pathway to do so," said Captain Claudia Zapata-Cardone, United Airlines A320 Captain and President of the Latino Pilots Association. "By introducing students of color to careers in aviation, this program is building on United's ongoing efforts to ensure the next generation of pilots and aviation workers better reflect the communities and customers our industry serves every single day. This program truly allows students to soar to new heights and I cannot wait to see their eyes light up when they walk onto the museum’s very own United Airlines Boeing 727.”

In February, the students will visit the Discovery Partners Institute, a research center focused on workforce and skill development for tech companies across Chicago, where they will learn about professions within the industry, the fundamentals of coding and build a mock mobile application and website. In March, the students will enjoy an exclusive tour of O’Hare International Airport to gain insight into the aviation industry. Later in the year, participating students will visit and speak to executives at the United Airlines Headquarters in downtown Chicago.

The Bulls also partnered with select nonprofit partners to help the students explore other aspects of STEM, including the Gray Matter Experience – a nonprofit that provides students of color with access to engaging business workshops, guest speakers and resources to empower them to pursue their entrepreneurial interests. Through the workshop with Gray Matter, students will tackle topics centered on building individual and community equity and discuss how they can bridge the equity gap through STEM. Following, students will explore the history and architecture of Little Village on a tour of the neighborhood led by Chicago historian and influencer Sherman “Dilla” Thomas.

“In recent years, the Bulls have made a concerted effort to provide students of color access to educational opportunities across various industries, expanding their vision of their future and the vast career paths and professions available to them,” says Bulls Vice President of Community Engagement Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry. “Our program with United is an extension of those efforts. We are excited to partner with them on this initiative and with Infinity High School for the second season.”

A highlight of the program will be the students’ collaboration with Don C. for the “Los Bulls Game” giveaway. In partnership with the students, all of whom are in the Junior class, Don C. will design a deck of cards inspired by the rich culture and history of the Latinx community, specifically Little Village. The card designs will also be showcased during the “Los Bulls Game” across various in-arena elements. The 47 participating students, all of whom will attend the game, are also working toward earning their associate degree in addition to their high school diploma through a two-year early college program offered by Infinity.

The program with United marks the Bulls’ second time partnering with Infinity – a continuation of the team’s efforts to increase its investment in Chicago’s predominately Latinx community, especially through educational opportunities for students at Chicago Public Schools. Last season, the Bulls partnered with Alt_Space Chicago, a nonprofit that works to revitalize South and West Side communities through art, on a yearlong arts program for a group of students at Infinity, which concluded with a final showcase and surprise visit from Don C.

United is Chicago’s hometown airline — from headquarters in the iconic Willis Tower to the expansive operation at O’Hare International Airport, United is one of the largest employers in the state with more than 14,000 employees. United operates up to 450 daily departures from O’Hare and takes customers to more than 200 destinations around the globe.&nbsp;The airline has dedicated itself to making a difference in the communities it serves every day, which is why the airline has partnered with more than&nbsp;30 non-profit organizations, charitable foundations and companies in the Chicagoland area,&nbsp;including the Chicago Bulls,&nbsp;White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Red Stars,&nbsp;Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Girls in the Game, My Block My Hood My City and many more.

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Bulls and United Airlines partner on community program for students at Infinity High School

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Bulls and BMO Host 5th Annual Pride Night at the United Center

Dr. Cooksey wanted to create a space where men could come to relieve stress and invest in their overall health and wellness.

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Black Owned Business Spotlight: Next Man Up

The team celebrated its community initiatives and partners alongside fans at the United Center

Through Chicago Bulls Charities (CBC) and the team’s Community Relations department, the Bulls contribute time, materials, resources and financial donations to organizations focused on gun violence prevention – the north star of its community efforts. Each year, annual grants are given to a select group of organizations through CBC and with support from the Community Assist Fund through the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

Earlier this month, the Bulls hosted its annual Chicago Bulls Charities Night at the United Center – a celebration of the team’s community engagement efforts, CBC grant recipients and community partners that work to address Chicago’s most critical issues. Grant recipients were invited to attend and participate in CBC Night during the Bulls’ home game vs. the Washington Wizards.&nbsp;

To tip off the night, students from After School Matters,a local nonprofit that provides lifechanging afterschool and summer programming to nearly 19,000 teenagers each year, sang and signed the National Anthem. Youth from Breakthrough, a nonprofit based in East Garfield that supports those affected by poverty through six focus areas, including education and youth development, economic opportunity and violence prevention, stood alongside Bulls players during the performance.

Youth from the MAAFA Redemption Project, a faith-based residential institute for men of color that offers workforce training, spiritual development and other supports, presented the game ball as an honorary captain. &nbsp;

Participants in the “Dress and Dribble,” an in-game competition where two contestants race to get dressed in Bulls gear and make a shot on the court, were from Bright Star Community Outreach, a nonprofit focused on uplifting Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods through community development initiatives and programming, enabling them to thrive with support from various community stakeholders.

Fans also enjoyed a special halftime performance by youth from Forward Momentum through After School Matters. A Chicago-based nonprofit, Forward Momentum offers dance education programs to strengthen schools and communities with limited access to art and art education. Giving back to communities in need across Chicago is a longstanding priority of the Reinsdorf family and therefore embedded into the culture of the Bulls organization. Our community work would not be possible without the generous contributions of our corporate partners, season ticket holders, fans and fundraising programs. To learn more about our efforts, follow the Bulls Community Instagram and Twitter accounts @bullscommunity.

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Bulls Host Annual Chicago Bulls Charities Night

As an ode to her late grandmother, Cleodell, Chef Kristen Ashley opened Cleo’s Southern Cuisine restaurant in the spring of 2019.

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Black Owned Business Spotlight: Cleo's Southern Cuisine

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<a href="https://www.nba.com/bulls/bullstv/live">Live media availability with Artūras Karni&scaron;ovas tonight at 4:45 PM CT. Watch here!</a>